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I LOVE to read romance novels. People flirting and falling in love, witty banter and happy endings.. what more could one want! So I have decided to put my reviews and the books I am looking forward to, all in one place!

Thursday, November 19, 2015

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 1/2Overall box set rating

I enjoyed this set of holiday novellas. I have definitely added a few authors to my to read list as previously I had only read Elisabeth Naughton's work. These stories all take place in Holly, North Carolina during the week of Christmas in a small town that embraces the Holiday season 365 days a year. So, without further ado.. "Here’s to finding spies, cops, rockers, SEALs, professional hockey players and billionaires under the Christmas tree this year!" (What a great tag line they have!)

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Melt for Me by Elisabeth NaughtonThis was a fantastic second chance story! The title says it all! Often for me novellas are hit or miss as some times I find them rushed or I don't seem to have time to get into the story. Not so with this one. I was gripped right from the slam of the cellar door! Ella was a strong lead, I like that she listened to her heart and her head. Also it was fun to see Tate get a story as I know he was in an Aegis book a while back. He was such a sweet guy. I am very glad they got their HEA!On a side note: I was hesitant to read Naughton's "Against All Odd" series as the whole "second chance" plot isn't one of my favourites.. however seeing how she wrote this one, makes me rethink that! ♥ ♥ ♥ 1/2 Sweet Rapture by Alexandra IvyThis was a good second chance story, I thought the characters were developed, and the story didn't feel rushed - though at points it felt a bit too contrived for me. I loved the banter between Meg and Dylan and the gift she gave him was pretty sweet. I know Dylan is FBI and all, but for me he seemed too high-handed at times, for someone trying to win back his girl, and there was this one part that would have been SUPER sweet had the author chosen to use a different word than she did (totally my opinion there). This was the first time I have read this author and I would try her again.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ The Spy Who Came for Christmas by Cynthia EdenThis story had me hooked right from the beginning. I loved the instant attraction and chemistry between Jemma and Grayson. I was also happy to see that there wasn't too much sex - considering how the book starts, I thought that's how it was going to go.

Eden's writing was great, even though the relationship between Jemma and Gray happens so fast, I didn't feel that the story was rushed or lacking in anyway. I would love to read more from this author.

♥ ♥ 1/2Merry Christmas, Baby by Katie Reus

I had a hard time picturing and getting to know these characters. They feel young, and for me Jackson didn't seem the Navy SEAL type. Some of his actions and thoughts just didn't seem to fit with the regular SEAL behaviour, just my opinion of course.

I thought the writing and "getting out of the friend zone" plot line were ok. I did like the gift Jackson gave Nora, thought it was very sweet and I would love one of those myself! I liked the sister/parent role for Nora, I think it added a good depth to her character. This was the first time I have read this author, I may give her another try if I find a good recommendation.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 1/2 Sinful in Snow by Laura Wright

The prologue had me hooked! Carol is a confident woman who can stand up for what she believes in. Gabriel is focused on what he wants and will do anything to get it. The two have wonderful chemistry and I enjoyed their flirty back and forth.

I really enjoyed this book..however after Gabriel’s motives are revealed, I had a hard time trusting/believing his sincerity, even after all was explained. I have a suspicion that if it was a full length book, this feeling I was left with, would have had time to change. Still, the writing was great. Wright has a humour that made me laugh out loud and I would love to try more of her books. I also liked that she had a character or two from other stories in this set make appearances for a few lines.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Home Advantage by Skye Jordan

Loved this story! It was the perfect combination of flirty, funny, and all those feel good emotions. Faith was awesome. I loved how she didn't just give in to Meier for his celebrity status. She has a great sense of humour and honesty. Meier, he is a good guy. I really enjoyed watching him get all turned inside out by Faith. I looked forward to seeing them on the page together.. their conversations were fun to read.

I have never read anything from this author before, but I will be changing that very soon!

The Epiloguewas a great way to bring all the characters in a room together. I truly enjoy a small town story series, where you keep getting glimpses of the previous or future characters. Makes it feel more real and someplace I would like to go visit. One thing I am still thinking about though... the sheriff, Brad Fulton. Part of me hopes he had a good Christmas, and that one day he will find love too.

From six of your favorite New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors…

MELT FOR ME by Elisabeth Naughton

Yuletide Spirits pub owner Ella McKinley doesn’t do holidays. Not after everything she lost on a cold, snowy night long ago. In fact, she’d be perfectly happy if the calendar jumped from November to January, bypassing December all together. Then rock’s latest “it” guy, Tate Kendrick, rolls into town, and though Ella tries to resist his wicked charm, the heat they once shared flares hotter than ever. When trouble linked to the rock star strikes at her pub, Ella suddenly starts to wonder if the return of her first love is a holiday miracle or nothing more than her nightmare before Christmas.

SWEET RAPTURE by Alexandra Ivy

Meg Anderson has returned to her home in Holly, North Carolina after she discovered her relationship with Dylan Cain was nothing more than a lie. The last thing she expects is for Dylan to be her new tenant. Or the realization that he might be the only thing standing between her and a killer…

THE SPY WHO CAME FOR CHRISTMAS by Cynthia Eden

Everyone in town thinks that Jemma White is as sweet as the delicious treats she makes at her chocolate shop—but they’re wrong. Jemma is ready to let her wild side out, and she’s just found the perfect man to make all of her fantasies come true. Grayson Cole is a too-sexy-to-be-true stranger who has escaped to Holly for the holidays. He is her perfect temptation, and Jemma can’t wait to steam up the cold winter nights with him. But when danger from Grayson’s past follows him to town, she realizes that the man she is falling for has been keeping some very dark secrets…secrets that may just get them both killed.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, BABY by Katie Reus

After unexpectedly inheriting a bookstore, Nora and her younger sister settled in Holly, NC, a place where it’s Christmas year-round. As the legal guardian for her sister the past few years, romance has been the last thing on Nora’s mind. But she broke her rules for the town’s golden boy—former SEAL Jackson O’Connor. When Jackson does something stupid and almost loses Nora for good, he realizes just how far he’s willing to go for the woman who’s stolen his heart. But it might take a Christmas miracle to get Nora to give him a second chance.

SINFUL IN SNOW by Laura Wright

Billionaire Back In Town: Gabriel Fox is a ruthless, heartless, soulless grinch. His only goal in coming to Holly, North Carolina is to ruin Carol Cardini's Christmas. Like she ruined his—and his life—ten years ago. Now that her business is in trouble, he's finally found the way. But the beautiful owner of Christmas Carol's Shop and Crafts won't allow her dream to be destroyed. Not by revenge, and certainly not by the sexiest man she's ever known. She can, however offer an apology, and a chair at her holiday table. But can a grinch’s cold heart be warmed and healed by the love of a good woman—and the magic of Christmas spirit?

HOME ADVANTAGE by Skye Jordan

NHL super star, Meier Grant, finds himself sidelined for a bum shoulder and sentenced to three weeks recovery—in his hometown of Holly, North Carolina. But an extended family stay isn’t on his holiday wish list, especially when his parents are more interested in capitalizing on his fame than much needed family bonding. So when he learns the high school beauty and so out-of-his-league Faith Nicholas is suddenly single, and even sexier ten years later, home doesn’t seem so bad. Not when it includes spending some quality bonding time with Faith. Meier may have some of the best moves in the league, but will they be enough to win a woman deserving of forever?